John Remancus Obituary

WILLSBORO — John T. Remancus, 99, of Main Street, Willsboro was called home Wednesday, April 7, 2010, from the Elizabethtown Community Hospital with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Hoosick Falls, Feb. 1, 1911, the son of Stephen and Margaret (Leskowski) Remancus.

John grew up in Hoosick Falls and began his career in culinary at an early age, working for various hotels in Elizabethtown, The Fort Orange Club in Albany and eventuallyas co-owner of the Sportsman's Dinette with his brother-in-law, Harold Perkett. He also worked as a bus driver, mail carrier, senior cook for alert officers at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and finally retired fromworking for Peter S. Painewhen he was 86 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Paine were dear to him, and he told us delightful stories of times shared with them and also staff both here and in Hobe Sound, Fla.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific Theater.

John was a lifelong member of St. Philips of Jesus inWillsboro; a man of prayer, he could be heard prayingto the Lord for hours in the morning, the evening and throughout the day. One of his dearest devotions was the rosary.

John was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Willsboro Fish and Game Club and was a volunteer fireman for the Willsboro Fire Department.

After residing away from Willsboro for a couple of years, he was delighted to return home in 2007, and there he welcomed many visitors.This was one of the highlights that kept him active and smiling.He would talk endlessly about his friends who had taken the time to come calling.

John will be rememberedfor his positive spirit, his patriotism and for his love of nature, which includedgardening as well as fishing and hunting. A man of practical jokes,he had the opportunityto practice themoften in the small township of Willsboro.There wasn't much that would deter him.

Survivors include his two daughters and sons-in-law, Christine and Hitoshi Okano of Worcester, Mass.,and Margaret Lucille and Richard Smith of Willsboro; grandchildren, Joseph Smart of Willsboro, Jonathan Paradis of Connecticut, Masao Okano and family of Massachusetts, Motoe Faith Okano andson, Christian, and fiancée, Teri Onoda, Yoshio Okano and Tamami Okano, all of Massachusetts, Jon Steeves and family of Willsboro, Maria Di Battista and family of New York, Kristina Knox of Connecticut, Eric Steevesand family of Connecticut, Mark Steeves and family of Connecticut;seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Florence (and Doug) Oglivie of Florida, Edna Rinaldi of Albany, Albert Remancusanddear friend Rose Martone of Mechanicsville; andhis loving friends and sisters-in-law, MarionHelmsof Willsboro and Joyce Perkett of Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews; and special companions that brought him joy, his littleItalian greyhound Aurie and his two cockatiels.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 50 years, Lucille Perkett; hismother and father-in-law, William and Ida Perkett; five of his ninesiblings, Eva, Nell, Alice, Stanley and Teresa; brothers-in-law, Harold and Wilfred Perkett; and his loving caregiver, Marlene Pierce of Willsboro.

Visitation and vespers will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro with the Rev. Joseph W. Elliott, parish pastor, celebrating. Committal prayers, full military honors and burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Willsboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Willsboro Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 332, Willsboro, NY 12996.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru.To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of John Remancus, please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com.